WWE NXT: 5 Under The Radar Stars To Monitor
By Tim Sherry
credit: wwe.com
5. Dakota Kai
Kicking off this list is Kai, the 29 year-old Auckland, New Zealand native and 10 year veteran of the sport. “The Captain of Team Kick” was signed to the WWE last December but waited about 9 months to make a splash. As a contestant in the Mae Young Classic, Kai impressively tore through Kavita Devi and Rhea Ripley before being ousted in the quarterfinals by eventual finalist Kaire Sane.
Through her 3 tournament matches, Kai showed the world what the independent wrestling scene had been watching for over a decade. A high energy performer, Kai dazzled the NXT audience with her ultra-stiff kicks and endless charm.
With NXT in the need for a love-able type baby face to pick up where Bayley left off, Kai has a chance to become a contributor sooner rather than later. And she certainly has the the goods. Outside of brilliant in-ring work and natural athleticism, Kai’s charisma is what could potentially steer her towards NXT greatness and possibly even further beyond.
As mentioned, Kai is 29 years old, basically the prime age for a wrestler to really make a run. If the WWE plays it right, they could be getting her at the exact time of her career when her ceiling is highest.
Kai also brings a solid resume to the ring with her. A champion in 4 different countries including the United States, she’s already locked horns with many of the elite female wrestlers on earth. She’s had numerous battles with fellow tournament members Mia Yim, Abbey Laith, Kay Lee Ray, and Tessa Blanchard, proving she’s ready for the next step.
All being said, Kai has tremendous upside and the WWE would be wise to try and capitalize on the success she had in the Mae Young Classic. If booked correctly, Kai has future champion written all over her.